Fire-starter.



N .884 5-83. v 'TENTE APR. 14- 1908.

0 I L. a. HER-MANN;

FIRE STARTER. APPLICATION PILED JUNE 21. 1907.

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APPLICATION FILED JUNE 21. 1907.

3 SHEETS- SEEE T 3,

3 vwe w tor- L. C Herman/2 LEO G. HERMANN, OF EVANSVILLE, INDIANA.

FIRE-STARTER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 21, 1907.

Patented April 14, 1908.

Serial N0. 380,169.

' T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEO C. HERMANN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Evansville, in the county of Vanderburg and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Fire-Starters, of which the following is a'specification.

The object of this invention is to provide a device whereby a fire may be started in a ran e or cooking stove at any time after the coa and kindling have been properly placed, without the presence of a person, the motive power being furnished by a clock, the mechanism of which is similar to that of an alarm clock; a further object being to make the device inexpensive to manufacture and to operate.

For a full description of the invention and the merits thereof and also to acquire aknowledge of the details of construction and the means for effecting the result, reference is to be had to the following description and i accompanying drawings.

While the invention may be adapted to different forms and conditions by changes in the structure and minor details without departing from the spirit or essential features thereof, still the preferred embodiment is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showin the invention applied to a cooking stove an adjusted for lighting the fire at the predetermined time. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the framework supporting the match holder and.

igniter and the trip mechanism. Fig. 3 is a side view of the complete device, the clock movement being omitted and showing the relation of the parts 'when set or adjusted for lighting the fire, the dotted lines indicating the raised position of the shaft or spring actuated arm when released. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of the outer or rear portion of the supporting frame which receives the clock movement and which is clamped to the stove, the parts being illus trated on a larger scale and showing the clock movement in place. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of the outer or rear end of the frame supporting the trip and the match holder and lgniter. Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of the front end. portion of the frame illustrated in Figs. 2 and 5. Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of the match holder. Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of the means for securing the device to a cross piece or like part'of the stove when the mechanism is adjusted or set for starting the fire. Fig. 9 is a modified form of the rigid portion of the framework clamped to the stove and supporting the clock movement.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

A is a frame constructed of two wires coiled about the middle, so as to form the eyes A A next turning at right angles and running parallel horizontally to the opposite end of the frame. The ends of these wires after being coiled together for some distance, are again separated and are here designated A, A A A. The lower ends A and A are coiled forming the eyes A, A end of the frame form the bends A A". At the end of the frame said wires are reversed and inclined at a as far as the bends A A, where they are again reversed, declining, after which they descend vertically to the bend A The wire A is coiled around the wire at the bend A, thence running transversely to the o posite side of the frame and there fastene at the bend A". However, a separate iece of wire may be used here, fastened at 0th ends at the bends A A, the wire A also fastening at the bend A on its respective side of the frame.

The upper wires A and A are coiled forming the eyes A, A. The wire A is run through the bend A and reversed, thence descends vertically, next turned at an angle of 90 degrees and running longitudinally where a little spring A is sleeved thereon, the end of the w1re being bent so said spring A cannot slip off. vThe upper wire A on the opposite side of the frame A is also run throu h the bend A on its respective side of the frame and reversed after it is inclined transversely until over the transverse center of the frame, where it is coiled, forming the eye A, whence it declines transversely and is fastened around the wire A on the op osite side of the frame as shown. The eye 11 affords support for the safety hook F.

The lever G acts as a trip for lever B. Said lever C is constructed of one wire coiled and near the so as to form the eyes C and C and bent on end of the wire used in the construction of this lever 0 extends upward and is bent back at an angle so as to prevent the lever C from being operated forward too far. The upper wire of the frame A prevents it from going too far in the opposite direction.

The wire D runs transversely through the eyes A, A", the lower part being coiled so as to form the eye D The upper part D serves as a guide for lever J. The lower end is fastened through the eye A as shown the upper end is passed through the same eye and reversed, forming the bend D Said bend acts as a stop for the lever J.

The lever B is constructed of one wire bent .at B so as to be placed on the catch 0 of lever C and is again bent to form the oblong eye 13*, thence continuing and turning transversely to the outside of the frame A as shown at B The object in forming the 0blong eye B is to add to the weight of that end of the lever. The other end of the Wire is coiled and sleeved on the lower part of the transverse W'ire D, passing through the eye D and bent to form the hook B The curved line A, represents the edge of the center piece of the stove top behind which the hook B catches when the device is set,

' down the matches in the match holder when preparatory to operation.

The match striker E is made of'sheet iron, the edges of which are crimped so a piece of sand paper can he inserted on which the matches strike. The end E of said match striker is fastened to the vertical part of the wire A in a way which allows the o posite end to move horizontally. Said end E is cut down in width in order to allow the wire E to cross. The opposite end E of said match striker E is guided by the end of the wire A which asses through same. The spring A sleeve on wire A bears the match striker E against the match heads when the device is in operation. a

The lever J is constructed of one wire forming the coil J at the end of said lever, said coil is sleeved on the bolt I, which is secured in the eyes A A The ends of wire of said leverJ are coiled around each other a number of times and separated again, the lower one passing under the transverse wire D and-forming the frame for the match holder J The upper wire runs over the transverse wire D and is bent so as to hold the device is in operation. The length of said match holder is such as will allow the head end of the matches to rotrude onehalf inch and high enough to old from one hooked around the side of the frame A. The other end is hooked around the lever J, thus operating the same, and also holding the wires of said lever J together properly, thus causing them to be guided by the transverse wire D and the upper wire J to hold the matches in place.

The matches having been properly placed into the holder, the lever J is moved over and secured behind the catch G which is a part of the lever G, in setting the device preparatory to o eration. During this manipulation the mate striker E must be held back so that it will not come in contact with the matches, as this would cause them to strike.

The'trip lever G is operated by a'draw bar K, constructed as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. Said lever G is provided with a shoulder G to support the draw bar The draw bar K is rovided on one end with the eyes K and K The eye K is placed over the trip lever G at G as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3. The hook F is hooked into the eye K while setting the device, this is done to prevent accidental 'tri ping or operation. The opposite end of t 1e draw bar K is bent to form the eyes- K and K. The hook S, which is fastened to the cord S, is hooked into the eye K The shaft L shown in Figs. 1 and 3 passes through the eye K.

The part which is attached to the edge of the range supports the clock by which the device is operated. It is constructed of a number of different wires. The Wire M is bent in the middle, forming the bend M at the to of the arch. The ends forming the arch escend vertically and are coiled so as to form the eyes M M Farther down they are bent at an angle of 90 degrees, running horizontally, the one forming the frame into which the clock is placed, is bent as shown at M", coiled so as to form the eyes M M M and fastened as shown at M"; the other end is coiled so as to formthe eye M next bent at an angle of 90 degrees, ascending vertically and coiled to form the eye M, thence runninghorizontally and turning at right angles, running transversely, thence, descending and forming the eye M through which the cord S passes, thence inclining and passin through the eye M, where it is coiled aroun the wire that forms the frame into which the clock is placed, the end of it is turned parallel with said wire, leaving a space between the two wires. The stem of the clock is put into this space. The legs of the clock case are put into the eye M on the one side and into the space between the wires near the eye M on t e other side. In the to of the arch a wire N is placed; the middle 0 the wire N is bent and placed over the bend in thecenter of the arch M. The ends of said Wire N run transversely to the plane of the arch passing shaft L passes over the top of said spring O. "fend L passing through the eye A of that The lower ends of said spring 0 are astened around the wire of the arch.

The wire P is bent in the middle, forming the eye P, the ends running transversely and bent as shown, thence reversed at and passing through the eyes M and M, thence running parallel with the wire M, at the ends forming the hooks P, P. Thesehooks catch around the bottom of the edge of the range or stove top, the wire M being placed upon the top, and are fastened by means of the rings T as shown at T to unfasten them the rings are moved away from hooks P. The brace Qacts as a further support of the construction.

the end, so as to form the eye Q. The other end passes through the eye P ascending and bent to form the upper part of the eye M and fastened around the other wire M. At the point Q it crosses and is fastened together with the other wire M by means of a small piece of wire. A wire Q which at the middle is passed through the eye of the brace Q at Q and at the ends fastened to the hooks P, P, adds to the rigidity of the construction.

The material used in the reel R is wood with an iron-shaft, R on one end. This shaft R is journaled in the eye M. To the other end is nailed a wire shaped as shown at R. The cord S passing through the eye M is attached to the middle of the reel R. The end R of the reel R is attached to the alarm clock winds the cord S on the reel.

The device is operated in the following manner: The coal and kindling having been placed in the stove, a fuse of paper is placed under the kindling with one end. The other end is run up to the top of the range where the device is to be attached as shown in Fig. 1'. The matches are then placed into the match holder and lever J with the match holder secured behind the catch G of lever G. The lever. G is thrown forward and the drawbar K is placed on this lever as shown at K, Figs. 1 and 3. The end K of the draw bar K passes through the lower eye of lever C. The safety hookF is hooked through the eye K of drawbar K. The device is then placed on the top of the range as shownin Fig. 1, so the hook B catches behind the edge of the center piece of the range or stove top. This hook B 'keeps the device in the proper position on the stove top, not allowing it to slip out. The lid of the'stove top is then placed in its respective place on the one side. The other side of it rests on the inclined wires a and a, as shown in Fig. I. The end B of lever B rests upon the catch C of lever C. The part attached to the edge of the range is next attached as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The shaft L is passed over the spring 0 and through the eye K of the drawbar K, next through the eye C of lever C and the It is made of one wire coiled near part of the device which rests on the top of the range. The other end of the shaft L slips into the eye M ,near where the clock is placed. The hook S attached to the cord S is hooked into the eye K of the draw bar K. The reel R is then attached to the alarm wind of the clock. The safety hook F is now unhooked as shown in Fig. 1. The device is now ready for operation.

The part of the mechanism of the clock which operates the alarm in an ordinary alarm clock is set so it will operate at the desired time, 'same as an alarm would on an ordinary alarm clock. The clock which is on the ordinary alarm clock type has been altered in some respects. .The bell and the tap er have been removed. A little weight has een placed on the wire where tapper has been secured on theinside' of the case of the clock. This weight steadies the motion of the mechanism. It requires about twenty seconds for the clock to perform the operation. The clock when in operation, winds up the cord S which is attached by means of the hook S to draw bar K at the eye K. The winding u of this cord draws back the drawbar K which first operates the lever G, tripping the match lever J and allowing the matches to strike, which lights the paper or fuse laced on the little wire E. When the end at the eye K comes in contact with the lever C it Will trip the lever B. This unhooks the hook B allowing the part of the device on the top of the range to slip out and the lid of the range to close as will be readily understood. The drawbar K is slightly bent near the middle so as to cause the end at the eyes K and K to swing away from the shaft L during the operation, whereas other wise it might get caught on said shaft L. The S shaped end of shaft L prevents turning of said shaft and thus keeps the opposite end from coming in contact with the draw bar K. The end E of match striker E has a perforation into which one end of the spring A is inserted. This holds said spring A in proper position, preventing friction and facilitating the motion of the match striker E during operation.

In the modification shown in Fig. 9, the arch portion of the supporting frame is constructed so as to dispense with, the wire N, the wire M being bent to form the top of the arch- M, thence descending and forming theshoulders M on which the spring 0 is mounted, the members of the .arch descending and being formed substantially as herein indicated. While this style of construction would be a saving in labor and material, it would be more diflicult to sleeve the spring 0 on to its respective place. However, this would be a matter optional with the manufacturer, as one method will answer the pur pose as well as the other. The device may nation of a frame, a match strike, a spring actuated match holder, a catch for said match holder to hold the same in restraint, a drawbar, a clock movement for operating said draw-bar at the predetermined time to effect release of the match holder, and a safety hook for preventing premature operation of the aforesaid draw-bar.

5. In means for lighting a fire, the combination of a frame having an inclined portion inclined portion beneath the stove cover, a

trip for the igniting and engaging devices, and a clock movement for actuating said trip.

6. In means for starting a fire, the combination of a frame having an inclined portion to engage with and hold a stove cover in ele vated position, igniting means mounted upon said frame, engaging means carried by the frame to normally hold it in o erative position when set for lighting the 're, means for tri ping the igniting means, whereby the fire is ighted, means for tripping the said engaging means to permit the frame to move out of the way after the fire has been started so that the stove cover may close, and a clock movement for actuating the aforesaid trip means.

7. In a fire starter, the combination of a frame having a portion to come beneath a stove cover and hold the same elevated, igniting means mounted upon said frame,

a lever having a hook to engage with a portion of the stove to hold the frame in operative position when adjusted to hold the stove cover in elevated position, catches for the said igniting means and the hooked lever,

means for tripping the igniting means and the said hooked lever 1n successive order, whereby the fire is lighted and a moment later the frame released to permit closing of the stove cover, and a clock movement for actuating the said trip means.

8. In means for starting a fire, the combination' of a frame having a portion to extend beneath a stove cover and hold the same elevated, igniting means mounted upon said frame, a catch for holding the igniting means in restraint, a pivoted lever mounted upon the frame and having a hooked end to engage with a portion of the stove and hold the frame in operative position, a catch for holding said hooked lever in given position, a

draw-bar having a portion to engage with the said catches and trip the same in successive order, and a clock movement for operating the draw bar at the predetermined time.

9. In a fire starter, the combination of a movable frame provided with igniting means, a main frame adapted to be secured to the stove, a spring actuated shaft attached to the main frame and supporting the movable frame, a clock movement mounted upon the main frame, and connecting means between the clock movement and trip devices of the movable frame to effect release of the latter and the igniting means.

10. In a fire starter, the combination of a movable frame provided with igniting means and a trip device, a main frame adapted to be clamped to the stove, a spring actuated support for the movable frame attached to and carried by the main frame, a clock movement mounted upon said main frame, and connecting means between the clock movement and the trip device of the movable frame to effect release of the igniting means and said movable frame, whereby the spring actuated support may come into play and lift said movable frame from the stove.

11. In a fire starter, the combination of a main frame comprising clamp members, means cooperating with said clamp members to cause them to grip a portion of the stove, a clock movement fitted to the outer end of said main frame, an upright portion at the inner end of said main frame, a spring actu ated support mountedupon said main frame, a movable frame mounted upon said spring actuated support and having a portion adapted to extend beneath and hold a stove cover in elevated position, engaging means carried by the movable frame to hold it in operative position, a catch for said engaging means, igniting means mounted upon the movable frame, a catch for said igniting means 'to normally hold it in restraint, and connecting means between the clock movement and the said catches to effect release of the igniting means and the said engaging means in successive order at the predetermined time, whereby the fire is first started and the movable frame subsequently automatically released and moved away from the stove.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LEO O. HERMANN.

Witnesses:

J. E. PAXToN, WM. HERMAN. 

